WCR/RTC Railtour locomotives, fleet updates and movements

[D1537]

Will have to be 34067 unless there's a rake of compliant Mk. 1s ready to go.

Riley 5s remaining in Fort William until the back end of the month.

That's what I thought ... there were rumours it was 61306, which I *would* make the effort to go and photograph.

 

[CDM Transport]

Apparently Scots Guardsman is on the tour tomorrow? Anyone able to confirm?

 

[Isle of Mull]

Apparently Scots Guardsman is on the tour tomorrow? Anyone able to confirm?

Are you sure? Has the conflict finally ended?

 

[CDM Transport]

Are you sure? Has the conflict finally ended?

Been sent a picture of it in steam today from a friend...

 

[Isle of Mull]

W

Been sent a picture of it in steam today from a friend...

That puts an end to that, the first mk1 set since 2023?

 

[Harpo]

A vacuum braked steam loco could legally work an air braked train by having a dual braked diesel coupled behind it, the diesel would automatically work as a translator.

 

[Sidmouth34010]

A vacuum braked steam loco could legally work an air braked train by having a dual braked diesel coupled behind it, the diesel would automatically work as a translator.

however then why has that not been deployed to ease the demands on 34067 and 44871/45407 ......

 

[matt]

A vacuum braked steam loco could legally work an air braked train by having a dual braked diesel coupled behind it, the diesel would automatically work as a translator.

Is that allowed on the mainline? It happens on preserved railways but I don't recall it happening on the mainline before?

 

[D1537]

A vacuum braked steam loco could legally work an air braked train by having a dual braked diesel coupled behind it, the diesel would automatically work as a translator.

That would get very messy at Whitby unless you had a translator diesel *and* one on the back

 

[Harpo]

That would get very messy at Whitby unless you had a translator diesel *and* one on the back

Absolutely. Just saying that theres no operational reason for not running a VB kettle.

The other downside, of course, is ingestion of kettle crap by the diesel but it hasn’t stopped others.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Oct 2026 ==

Is that allowed on the mainline? It happens on preserved railways but I don't recall it happening on the mainline before?

Good question. Can’t think of an obvious reason not to.

It’s rare outside of failure conditions but I have seen it (long time ago!) on drags, but the other way around with an AO pilot, DB train engine and VB stock.

 

[D1537]

Rail Advent is reporting that the tour is 46115 with CDL MkIs...

 

[JonathanH]

Rail Advent is reporting that the tour is 46115 with CDL MkIs...

Two diesel locos in the consist as well, and for the parts which are diesel hauled, two locomotives on the rear.

(I note that this does now explain how the train works out of Holgate sidings after the York break.)

 

[Harpo]

Two diesel locos in the consist as well, and for the parts which are diesel hauled, two locomotives on the rear.

Interesting. Presumably allowed when one or both are manned*?


(*As I understand it other than single dead locos, only a pair of 20s or 2x73s can be conveyed dead in rear? But I’ve no idea why that is so.)

 

[neil65]

Quoted on Nat Pres as 46115 rake of CDL Mk1’s and 47802

 

[Iskra]

(*As I understand it other than single dead locos, only a pair of 20s or 2x73s can be conveyed dead in rear? But I’ve no idea why that is so.)

I’ve heard that before, but I think it might be a myth or have been superseded. I’ve seen multiple locomotives of classes other than 20 and 73 on the rear of multiple railtours over the years.

Above is a Black 5 at Dent with 2 47’s on the back.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Oct 2026 ==

It’s definitely Scots Guardsman on Mk1’s, just seen it at Leeds, TikTok video below:

TikTok - Make Your Day

It’s nice to see something different out from West Coast, and the Mk1’s are also looking smart!

 

[HertiageFan]

I’ve heard that before, but I think it might be a myth or have been superseded. I’ve seen multiple locomotives of classes other than 20 and 73 on the rear of multiple railtours over the years.

Above is a Black 5 at Dent with 2 47’s on the back.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Oct 2026 ==

It’s definitely Scots Guardsman on Mk1’s, just seen it at Leeds, TikTok video below:

TikTok - Make Your Day

It’s nice to see something different out from West Coast, and the Mk1’s are also looking smart!

That’s great

 

[neil65]

46115 Scots Guardsman and support coach head to the MRM for servicing

York - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Oct 2026 ==

The rumours started on Thursday that today's Esk Valley rail tour was to be a bit different from the normal Tangmere and coffins!!
And for once the rumours were true!!
46115 Scots Guardsman hauling a full rake of CDL fitted Mk 1 coaches, it's been a long time coming and thank you WCRC for carrying out this conversion.

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

There are photos of all the Mk 1 coaches starting here with
99122 Alexandra

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Anyway
I set off early to be at York for the approx 8am arrival, only to find a handful of people waiting for it to arrive, but running about 10 minutes late
46115 Scots Guardsman arrived in P11 at York

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

After servicing at the NRM 46115 backs down into P11 to join the stock

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

and finally gets away with a lot of slipping for Whitby

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

In Between 46115 arriving and leaving the Highland Blue Pullman HST arrived and departed for Scotland with
43059 Loch Shiel T'n'T 43050 Loch Morar with the Blue Pullman HST

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Also seen was one of the reinstated GBRf class 60's
60085 Snowdon approaching York with 6H12 0624 Tyne Coal Terminal Gbrf to Drax Aes (Gbrf)

46115 Scots Guardsman The Esk Valley rail tour First appearance of full rake of WCRC CDL fitted Mk 1's at York. Plus Huddersfield station rebuild update - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

 

[Iskra]

My full video from today:

 

[Gunslinger]

My full video from today:

Note from the video that only one door per Mk1 vehicle seems to have been CDL fitted. Other doors are presumably locked shut. Assume this meets emergency evacuation requirements?

 

[37069]

Note from the video that only one door per Mk1 vehicle seems to have been CDL fitted. Other doors are presumably locked shut. Assume this meets emergency evacuation requirements?

There's indicator lights at both ends of the First Opens (six vehicles) and at one end of the RMB. So all of their end doors will be fitted, with the centre doors locked out as previously. Just a single emergency release fitted per side (diagonally opposite, on the left end of the vehicle)

 

[fgwrich]

There's indicator lights at both ends of the First Opens (six vehicles) and at one end of the RMB. So all of their end doors will be fitted, with the centre doors locked out as previously. Just a single emergency release fitted per side (diagonally opposite, on the left end of the vehicle)

Very much the same as a lot of other ex-BR stock and the LSL Mk1s. I’d hazard a guess that the CDL has been harvested from the Mk2s which headed up to Carnforth earlier in the year.

 

[JonathanH]

Very much the same as a lot of other ex-BR stock and the LSL Mk1s. I’d hazard a guess that the CDL has been harvested from the Mk2s which headed up to Carnforth earlier in the year.

It isn't the same design fitted to the Mark 2s, as the lock is not applied as a dropping bolt at the top of the door, but as a sideways bolt in the lower panel. Perhaps some parts in the control apparatus are consistent.

 

[fgwrich]

It isn't the same design fitted to the Mark 2s, as the lock is not applied as a dropping bolt at the top of the door, but as a sideways bolt in the lower panel. Perhaps some parts in the control apparatus are consistent.

Well, certainly some of the components (eg the emergency door release switches) at the very least, otherwise good luck finding a manufacturer for those. I know that another tour operator has re-used components from Mk3s on its Mk1s.

 

[JonathanH]

I know that another tour operator has re-used components from Mk3s on its Mk1s.

Yes, absolutely, the LSL CDL variant looks very much like transplanted Mark 3 equipment.

These are quick pictures of the CDL stuff in a WCR vehicle. The door lock itself must be new equipment.

 

[andyjhatton]

Yes, absolutely, the LSL CDL variant looks very much like transplanted Mark 3 equipment.

These are quick pictures of the CDL stuff in a WCR vehicle. The door lock itself must be new equipment.


View attachment 213049View attachment 213050

Interestingly not the same as VT.

 

[fgwrich]

Interestingly not the same as VT.

It does appear to be a newer system that’s for sure, different to the system fitted to the HDL or LSL fleets too. And considerably different to the Maglock’s on the LUL TC and Swanage 117.

 

[co-tr-paul]

Looking at RTC Winter Cumbrian Mountains for next year , anyone know if this ( mk1 ) will be the contracted set and is LMS 44851 compatible please ?

 

[alexl92]

If you mean 48151, it did a private charter with some MK1s a few weeks ago.

One assumes if West Coast have gone to the expense of CDL fitting their MK1s, then this will be compatible with all their steam fleet. Otherwise they don't gain much.

 

[martin butler]

Now that West Coast have a vac braked mk1 set that's CDL compliant, that will mean that of their fleet they will have more engines available to them, i can think of without including Tangmere, 46115, 45110, 48151 one of the Jubilees, and the other black 5, the number of which escapes me,
Alot depends on how swiftly they can fit out a second rake, and of course where the CDL is acquired from, I'm half expecting many or the mk2's the air cons, to be stripped for their locking systems. Or sold on,

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

Paths up for the Jacobite coming south 25/10/26